Chapter 32: The Graceful Beauty, the Fragrant Mushroom Soup

It is often not the thing itself that people truly fear, but merely their imagination of it. (Gu Long)
……
By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, it was already noon. Although the weather was somewhat sweltering, descending the mountain was easier. Jiliel led the way, humming a tune from her hometown as she rushed downhill.
Liu Yi followed closely behind. Seeing Jiliel move so fast, he was worried she might slip and roll down the hill. But after trying to persuade her several times, she refused to listen and even sped up further. It had taken them almost four hours to climb the mountain, but less than two hours to descend.
At the foot of the mountain, three thatched cottages could already be seen. Jiliel excitedly jumped next to Liu Yi and said, “Haha, we’re so fast! It only took two days. Normally, to gather these herbs, I’d have to stay on the mountain for half a month by myself.” Without waiting for Liu Yi’s reply, she ran toward the cottages.
Liu Yi shook his head helplessly and followed her.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw Da Dao Wang playing chess with Mo Ying and Old Mo, sipping tea leisurely. This puzzled Liu Yi. When he arrived, Old Mo had immediately told him to gather herbs, so why was Da Dao Wang here, playing chess and drinking tea so casually?
Liu Yi approached the two and bowed to Mo Ying. Just as he was about to speak, Mo Ying said, “Sit, sit.”
Liu Yi sat down and thought to himself, “I wonder if it’s this old man’s strange temper or Da Dao Wang’s sharp tongue. It seems both of them have problems.”
At that moment, Da Dao Wang, still focused on the chessboard, said, “Elder Liu, I’ve finished the task you assigned me. If Miss Ajiu doesn’t mind, she can stay here for at least three months.”
Liu Yi looked at Da Dao Wang in surprise. How hadn’t he noticed such talent earlier? He quickly asked, “How did you return so quickly? You arrived just two days after us.”
Da Dao Wang continued to watch the chessboard and replied, “It’s not me who’s fast; it’s you who’s slow. I traveled day and night, switching to twelve swift steeds, covering a thousand li in a day and eight hundred in a night. How can I not be fast?”
Liu Yi was even more surprised and laughed, “Good, good. You’re very responsible. I’ll definitely hire you at a high price for future tasks.”
Hearing the mention of a high salary, Da Dao Wang immediately turned his attention from the chessboard and asked, “How much?”
Liu Yi felt sweat dripping down his back and said, “Well… it depends on the importance of the task later. But this time you were quite fast. I like that.”
At that moment, Mo Ying, who had remained silent until then, spoke up, “Young man, you’re fast too. In just two days, you and Lanshan gathered all the herbs. Not bad. I like that too. Haha.” Then he took a sip of tea.
Liu Yi clasped his fists and said, “Doctor Mo, you’re too kind. It was just luck.”
Da Dao Wang took a sip of tea and continued playing chess, saying, “Elder Liu, since Brother Mo is praising you, just accept it. Why be modest? Excessive modesty is hypocrisy.”
Mo Ying laughed and said, “Brother Da Dao is right. I hate hypocrites the most.”

Liu Yi was a bit confused. What was going on here? How could the two of them start treating each other as brothers? Did they not even consider him at all? Helpless, Liu Yi stood up and said, “I’ll go check on Shi Yi and A Jiu. You two keep chatting.”

Mo Ying nodded and continued playing chess while saying, “All the herbs have been gathered this time. If nothing goes wrong, A Jiu will be fine after lying down for seven days, not three months.”

Liu Yi forced a smile and said, “Hehe, thank you, Senior Mo.”

But Mo Ying remained silent. Clearly, Old Mo didn’t have a very good impression of Liu Yi. Liu Yi ignored him and turned toward the hut in the middle.

Two days wasn’t long, but it wasn’t short either. Yet Liu Yi and Shi Yi had grown up together and never been apart. In fact, he really missed that silly kid these past two days.

Gently lifting the door curtain, he saw that the room was tidy. On the bed behind the table, Shi Yi was sleeping beside A Jiu. Liu Yi thought to himself, “That silly brother must be exhausted after these two days.”

Liu Yi moved quietly, and suddenly Shi Yi turned around sharply and asked, “Who’s there?” Unexpectedly, just after two days apart, this guy’s martial skills had improved again. It was hard to understand how his master taught him—he could improve even without practicing.

Liu Yi smiled and said, “It’s me. You didn’t forget your big brother, did you?”

Shi Yi rubbed his eyes and said, “Big brother, you’re back! How’s it going? Have you gathered all the herbs?”

Liu Yi sat down by the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and said, “Yes, everything’s ready. Senior Mo said A Jiu will recover after lying down for three days.”

After taking a sip of tea, Liu Yi asked, “What’s wrong with her? Why is she keeping her eyes closed?”

Shi Yi replied, “Senior Mo said he needs to seal most of her meridians and acupoints, putting her in a state similar to death. That way, the ‘Red Dragon Worm’ in her blood will gradually die due to lack of vital energy and nutrients.”

Liu Yi almost spat out his tea and asked anxiously, “Then won’t she die too?”

Shi Yi said, “Doctor Mo said that if we don’t want A Jiu to die, it depends on whether you can find some ‘Cristal Grass.’”

Only then did Liu Yi understand why Jili’er said that ‘Cristal Grass’ was so precious. It turned out that A Jiu’s life depended entirely on that grass. Liu Yi asked further, “So you’ve been lying here for two days? Aren’t you tired?”

Shi Yi chuckled and said, “Tired? Of course I am! But seeing the one I love right in front of me makes even hardship sweet. Hehe.”

Liu Yi shook his head and took a sip of tea, saying, “You really are…”

“What are you two talking about? Why are you so happy?” Jili’er ran over with a steaming large jar on a tray.

Liu Yi closed his eyes and smelled it, saying, “It smells great! What is this delicious food?”

Jili’er brought over a bowl filled with soup and said, “Mushroom soup. Didn’t you insist on wanting my mushroom soup, you fool? Don’t say I didn’t make it for you.”

Shi Yi immediately stood up, trying to snatch the mushroom soup from Jili’er’s hands, saying, “Perfect! I’m starving. Haha.”

Seeing Shi Yi trying to take the soup, Jili’er panicked and said, “This bowl of soup isn’t for you. It’s for Brother Liu. If you want to drink it, go get your own bowl.” She then handed it to Liu Yi.

Shi Jieyi glanced at him and said, “Take it then. What’s the big deal? I was afraid your soup might be poisoned.” With that, he even headed for the next room.
Upon hearing this, Jillian’s face turned pale as she urged, “Brother Liu, drink it while it’s hot. Don’t pay attention to what that tall guy is saying.”
Liu Yi noticed Jillian’s unusual expression and thought Shi Jieyi must have upset her. He said, “Don’t take him seriously. He’s just straightforward and speaks without thinking.”
Jillian smiled and said, “No, I’m not angry with Brother Shi Jieyi. It’s just that you said you wanted to drink mushroom soup, and now that I’ve prepared it, you refuse to drink it.”
Liu Yi quickly replied, “I’ll drink it! I’ll finish it all right away. How could I refuse such delicious hot soup, especially when it’s made by Miss Jillian?” Without caring about the heat, he began drinking greedily.
Watching Liu Yi drink up the mushroom soup in the bowl, Jillian’s face showed a satisfied smile… though there seemed to be a hint of cunning in that satisfaction. What could it be? Could the mushroom soup really be poisoned?